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Our planning work
The Society is a splendid watchdog. Since 1932 it has been represented by members on the planning committees of successive local councils. It is also represented on a number of important local bodies: for example, the City's Sustainable City Biodiversity Group, Local Strategic Partnership and the Design and Conservation Panel, and the Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership. It keeps a constant vigil. Its intervention is regularly sought in local issues and it comments on all the major planning and development proposals. With the largest membership of any local amenity group in the area, its submissions carry weight.
In the past 12 months the Society has been busy commenting on a number of major planning and development proposals and policy documents including:
Hanley Grange--Eco Town Proposals
Cambridge City Local Development Framework--Core Strategy, Issues & Options Report & Draft Planning Obligation Strategy
Addenbrooke's Biomedical Campus
Clay Farm & Showground Urban Extension Area
Bell Language School Site (off Babraham Road)
Former Monsanto Land (Trumpington Meadows)
The NIAB site (between Huntingdon & Histon Road) & N W Cambridge
Former Bayer Crop Science site at Hauxton
The Station Area (CB1)
Northstowe Planning application
Quality Charter for Growth
Omission sites in South Cambs
Windfarm proposals at Linton & Great Eversden
Cambridgeshire Design Guide
Our views on planning issues:
Our overall aim is to see the special character and amenities of Cambridge protected--and enhanced
We are especially concerned with protecting and improving Cambridge's green spaces
we have long been strong supporters of the Cambridge Green Belt. It is important as a reserve for wildlife, for public access to the countryside and for recreation. It is also an important tool for managing Cambridge's evolution.
whilst development in the Green Belt should be a last resort, we also recognise that the Cambridge sub-region must grow, to accommodate the need for new housing -- by way of the planned urban extensions and new settlement at Northstowe.
we strongly believe that all development should meet high standards of architecture and urban design.
where development is to take place on greenfield sites it should be on condition that there is a more than compensating environmental gain - for example an equivalent amount of accessible amenity land is provided elsewhere for public use or a larger amount of private land is put into the Green Belt.
we want to see a more sustainable pattern of development, reduced reliance on the private car and improved public transport
we strongly support a 'plan-led' approach to development, including the preparation of planning briefs for major new development projects
we believe there should be open and constructive dialogue between all those with a stake in the future of Cambridge. This is just too important to be decided by short-termist and sectional interests.
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